By Amarpreet Grewal
It’s that time of year again, where the snow should be falling and departmental stores fill with holiday music. The Winter Holidays is a time to spend with your family and friends, a time of giving and appreciation. The preparations begin shortly after Halloween: already in November, you see aisles of Christmas décor, Santa Claus sitting in his chair, and big sales! Despite all the fun festivities that are occurring, the holiday season can tire you out. There was a time where we didn’t have to worry about these things, because our parents would handle everything – the only responsibilities you had were to eat, play and unwrap gifts (good ol’ days); unfortunately, things have changed. They say “with age, comes wisdom”. But they forgot to add in the “responsibilities” part to that quote. So here’s a holiday survival guide to ensure you have the best holidays yet!
When you have something due right after the holidays
Defending your thesis in the New Year? Have a committee meeting on January 9? Whatever the big project may be, remember your time management techniques! Maybe that means longer hours and lack of sleep on some days, if it helps you have some guilt-free time off at another time. Or if you prefer not to do long hours and be sleep deprived, then schedule a time slot every day during your break to get your looming project done. It works for many people to schedule 1-2 hours in the morning for work on their holidays, to stay productive and relaxed. Check out this 1-hour work day article. Having a break isn’t a bad thing, as a break can give you a different outlook on your project or spark a new idea. Your grandmother may also ask you a very insightful question over dinner, so don’t skip it!
Surviving the holidays without breaking the bank
Sometimes people can get carried away when it comes to buying gifts or decorations. Hosting family dinners can be expensive too! Here are some ways to have budget-friendly holidays:
- Host a potluck holiday dinner
- Engage in cheap, yet fun activities: gingerbread house competitions, movie nights, snowball fights, etc.
- Make DIY decorations
- Send Holiday e-Cards
- Shop during sales
Going to see family
It’s a really warm feeling when you meet family after a long time; the hugs, kisses and the food that they feed. Though you intend to relax and destress, your family has a lot of expectations for you. For me, whenever I have some time off, my family wants me to be in their sight at all times; from eating all meals of the day together to exercising as a group. So how do you get away from the expectations so you can have some sleep and relax? First, have a big meal. It naturally makes you tired, as the body focuses on digesting the food. Use that as an excuse to go to bed early, even if it is only 7PM. You don’t necessarily have to sleep, but hey, you got that time you were looking for! Moreover, when your aunts and uncles see you after a long time, they always want to know what is going on in your life. Even if you don’t want to reveal all, just be nice and keep repeating the same thing. They may think you are boring, but remember you’re only there for the holidays!
Worst holiday gift
Whatever you and your family and friends are celebrating, someone will most likely receive the most horrible gift by either an excited family member, a friend or a co-worker. It could be an oversized tee-shirt with a crazy graphic or a hand-me-down that still smells funny. So how do you deal with this with a smile on your face? First, take a brief moment to collect your thoughts and hide your initial reaction. Then, while your family members stare you down, quickly say “wow, It’s ____”, however don’t overdo the compliments; rather, quickly divert the attention to someone else.
The successful Secret Santa
Whether it is at your workplace or within your family, Secret Santa is always tricky. Plus, buying gifts in general will make your wallet sad. You end up getting a name of a co-worker or an estranged family member and you have no clue what to buy. Here are some things that always work:
- Headphones: everyone loses them all the time.
- Coffee mugs: most people need some sort of caffeine at one point in their day.
- Gift cards: they can always come in handy, plus it encourages the person to get out of their house.
- Cozy blanket: the snow is falling, the fireplace is on, and you’re drinking hot cocoa … you need a cozy blanket to complete the image.
- Kate Spade supplies: they are trendy and unique, and often useful.
- Mini toolbox: it’ll encourage them to be handy!
- Holiday chocolates or baked goods: they are meaningful and delicious!
Working through the holidays
Whether you are running experiments or writing your thesis during the holidays, it just may be the focused time you need! Just imagine: lab space to yourself, no need to wait for equipment or ask lab mates if they mind your rock-n-roll tunes. You may be able to get some of your best work done with fewer distractions. Working through the holidays also saves you money on airline tickets, and, even better, you don’t have to deal with all that “holiday stress”! You can instead get ahead and start planning for the upcoming year. Take the time to put things into perspective – those deadlines and the major tasks that need to be completed. So embrace your freedom at work and plan for a make-up vacation.
Christmas music head wreck
You hear it everywhere, at the department stores, in your car, on the radio – it reaches a point where you are even humming the tunes in your sleep. How do you deal with this? Two options: 1) Earplugs to help tune you out 2) Jam to your own tunes.
Whether you are working or you are taking time off, it is a time to spend with your family and friends, as well as to reflect on the year – your accomplishments, your failures, your resolutions, and your growth as a person.